10 Phrases You Should Never Say To Children

Words can mark a child for life, which is why it is so important to be aware that there are certain things you should never say to children, even if you are upset.

As parents, we must be very careful with our words and think about what we say to our children, because wrong phrases can have a permanent and powerful impact on their lives.

All words have consequences, some positive and others negative. Here we will share some phrases you should avoid at all costs when talking to your children.

“Forbidden” words and phrases that you should never say to children

• “I do it for you”

As a parent, it is natural that you want to take control of the situation to make the child’s life easier in every possible way. However, if you use this phrase in relation to their homework, assignments or daily activities, you may cause them to lose motivation. It is better that you help them when they do their tasks instead of doing everything for them.

• “Do not Cry”

Especially when it comes to boys, it is quite common to hear it from some parents. It is not healthy to tell children, because it teaches them to swallow their emotions. Avoid reprimanding your children from expressing sadness or frustration.

• “Why are you no longer like your brother / sister?”

Comparisons can hurt, no matter how old you are. Why use them to make our children feel bad? Replace it with something else that emphasizes their good qualities instead. Praise things that make them unique as individuals. They should feel that you respect and admire them as they are.

• “I promise”

It is not good to promise something without really being able to keep your promise. A broken promise means that the child can not trust you. Use phrases like “I’ll try” instead.

• “Talk bad about others”

There are many phrases that can be used to downplay a person, and if your child hears you say that, it can affect their future behavior. Remember that you are your child’s role model. They will imitate things you do and say. If you want your child to address others with respect, you must start by being a good role model.

• “Because I say so”

It is a rather cliché phrase used when parents do not want to tell the reason for their actions. Try to avoid it. It is better to give good arguments that explain your actions. Children will have no reason to stop their behavior unless they are given a proper explanation.

• “Shut up”

Of course, you should never say this to anyone at all, and especially not to your children. In addition to being rude, it threatens your child’s ability to express himself properly. It also creates an offensive environment. Instead, you can point out in advance when they need to be quiet and when they can talk freely.

• “You are so… (any adjective with a negative connotation)”

Parents sometimes say things like this when they are upset, without thinking about it. But if a parent constantly says such things, children may begin to believe them. Say it just to emphasize their strengths and talents; it will in turn strengthen their self-esteem.

• “You’ll see when your dad (or mom) comes home”

This phrase is often used as a threat to announce that the father or mother will give a punishment when he or she returns home. But that’s not something you should say to children. It is a sign of weak authority. It shows that you do not know how to handle the situation. When the behavior is not corrected as soon as it happens, the child will forget what he did, and the punishment will not be linked to the act. By using the phrase, you also create a negative image of the father or mother, as it makes the child feel anxious before returning home.

• “Leave me alone”

When this is used too often, your children may misinterpret it. They may start to think that their presence irritates you. If you feel stressed, it is better to warn them before it may not be the right time to talk. When you feel better, you can go back to them and spend some time with them.